East Aurora school board set to vote on tentative contract with union

School board members are set to vote Monday on a tentative contract agreement reached by East Aurora School District and the union representing its teachers, office and support staff.

Almost a month since last-hour bargaining averted a possible strike, board members will vote Monday night on a three-year contract that addresses compensation, involuntary and voluntary transfers and class sizes, among other provisions.

Members of East Aurora Council Local 604 voted 902 to 335 in support of the agreement, according to the union. The ratification vote was held on Tuesday but the tally certified Wednesday. Local 604 represents hundreds of teachers, office and support staff in School District 131.

Both district and union officials said the contract will now go to the school board Monday evening, in line with an earlier timeline saying the two sides were eyeing the Nov. 5 meeting for a vote.

“I think both sides are very excited on the reaching of the agreement,” said union president Gerry Mestek.

Monday’s school board meeting at East Aurora High School is set to begin earlier than normal, with a 5:30 p.m. start time versus the usual 7 p.m. School board President Annette Johnson said the time change also allows for a celebration recognizing the contract’s approval. Johnson said the board still has to vote on the agreement but it is expected to get full approval.

“We’re all very happy,” she said. “The board members are extremely happy (the contract) passed. It’s just a matter of signing it.”

The contract addresses issues and provisions that some felt were making East Aurora non-competitive with neighboring school districts. Teachers can no longer be transferred from their current school or position as easily anymore, for instance. Language in the contract says administrators will attempt to avoid involuntary transfers and must meet with the teachers before a transfer is approved.

Beginning next school year, class size thresholds will be in place in order to combat overcrowded classrooms, according to contract language. Class size thresholds are capped, ranging from 26 in kindergarten through second grade to 32 in high school core subject classes.

Office and support staff are on a salary schedule for the first time, which means their compensation now aligns with their respective years of experience, said Mestek.

The base pay for a first-time teacher in East Aurora who just graduated with a bachelor’s degree is $45,820 under the new contract, with the district base pay increasing by $1,000 for the following school year. The teachers’ salary schedule also increases compensation based on years of experience and highest education attained.

All Local 604 members will have access to an expanded tuition reimbursement program, said Mestek. The program’s expansion allows for teachers and staff to continue taking higher education courses. The expansion lays a path for East Aurora educators to pursue ESL endorsements through tuition reimbursement, he added.

The three-year contract is retroactive to July 1 and expires on June 30, 2021.